Prospectus

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Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology: Environment and Development

Master

‘Environment Anthropology and Development Sociology’ covers the complex relations between societies and the physical world. It does so in terms of present modes of resource use as well as in terms of future projections; ideas on how to bring about a better, sustainable world. The aim of the MA specialization is to equip the student with knowledge and skills that will enable her/him to analyse the interactions between societies and both urban and rural environments and to engage in activities aimed at the formulation of various types of solutions for existing environment-and-development problems. Often these activities are implemented under the banner of development.

A critical assessment of these development activities is necessary to unfold their long term impact on resources and their effects on existing and future power relations. Reflection on the development process itself – the world of projects -, its prime actors and its effects on various target groups will be part of the analysis. This will also include self-reflection on the role of researchers in this process. The core of this specialisation will be the contribution that anthropology can make to this (by nature) interdisciplinary field of study.

September Intake

Use the link under “Files” to access the schematic time-table for the September-intake of the programme Environment Anthropology and Development Sociology. Time of the classes highlighted in yellow is still prone to change. Room numbers and other details can be found in course descriptions below.

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2
Large Issues, Small Places: Theorizing Ethnographic Research 5
Environment and Development 1 5
Environment and Development 2 5
Doing Ethnography 5
Research Proposal CA-DS 5
Fieldwork 15
Writing Seminar: telling your story 5
Master Thesis (CA-DS) 15

Visual Ethnography as Method

Students who start in February cannot make use of ‘Visual Ethnography as a Method’.

The Institute for Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology now offers ‘Visual Ethnography as a method’ as a part of the MA programme. ‘Visual Ethnography as a method’ is a methodological option, embedded within the MA CA/DS. This option qualifies students for the use of audiovisual methods as a part of anthropological research. Skills are acquired through coursework as well as the conduct of an independent academic research project. This methodological option within the MA combines anthropological theory and hands-on audiovisual practice.

Admission to ‘Visual Ethnography as a method’

‘Visual Ethnography as a method’ is only accessible to a limited number of qualified students. Students taking ‘Visual Ethnography as a method’ can only start by September 1st (not by February 1st). The MA admissions committee assesses and prioritizes applications. Students who would like to be placed for ‘Visual Ethnography as a method’ need to write an application that includes reference to the criteria mentioned below:

  • The completion, with good results, of the BA course Visual Methods or equivalent. Visual Methods is accessible within the regular BA programme of CA/DS. If required, students from abroad can incorporate Visual Methods in a pre-Masters programme. Please enclose copies of the relevant course certificates with your application.

  • The viability of the proposed MA research project. Viability depends on the topic chosen, but also significantly on the location at which fieldwork is to be conducted. For ‘Visual Ethnography as a method,’ students are only allowed to do fieldwork at a site where they have a good command over the language. Dutch students are therefore normally not allowed to conduct fieldwork outside the Netherlands. Please enclose an outline of the MA research project envisaged (450 words max.) with your application.

  • If, considering the earlier study trajectory, a student can be expected to complete the MA option ‘Visual Ethnography as a method’ on time, that is, within one year. Please add a copy of your BA grade sheet with your application.

Deadline for applications June 1st; the decisions of the MA admissions committee will be communicated by July 1st. Presently, no more than twelve (12) students can be admitted annually.

Study trajectory ‘Visual Ethnography as a method’

Students taking ‘Visual Ethnography as a method’ with some adjustments follow the regular CA/DS MA programme. (1) In November, students do not enrol in the second part of their chosen elective course, but take the course ‘Visual Ethnography: Fieldwork Preparations.’ (2) The MA fieldwork is limited to two months: January and February. (3) In March, students take the course: ‘Visual Ethnography: Analysis and Editing.’ The MA trajectory ‘Visual Ethnography as a method’ is concluded with the completion of a short film in combination with a paper.

Use the link under “Files” to access the schematic time-table for ‘Visual Ethnography as a method’. Time of the classes highlighted in yellow is still prone to change. Room numbers and other details can be found in course descriptions below.

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2
Large Issues, Small Places: Theorizing Ethnographic Research 5
Environment and Development 1 5
Visual Ethnography: Fieldwork Preparations 5
Doing Ethnography 5
Research Proposal CA-DS 5
Fieldwork for ‘Visual Ethnography as a Method’ 10
Visual Ethnography: Analysis and Editing 5
Writing Seminar: telling your story 5
MA Thesis (audiovisual and textual) 15

February Intake

Students who start in February can not make use of ‘Visual Ethnography as a Method’.

Use the link under “Files” to access the schematic time-table for the programme of February intake. Time of the classes highlighted in yellow is still prone to change. Room numbers and other details can be found in course descriptions below.

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2

First half of the program for students who start in February 2014
Doing Ethnography (February intake) 5
Research Proposal CA-DS (February intake) 5
Fieldwork (February intake) 15

Second half of the program for students who started in February 2013
Large Issues, Small Places: Theorizing Ethnographic Research 5
Environment and Development 1 5
Environment and Development 2 5
Writing Seminar: telling your story (February intake) 5
Master Thesis CA-DS (February intake) 15

More info

The Master’s programme in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology at Leiden University covers one year. Successful completion of the MA program involves completion of all its components:

  • three compulsory courses

  • two elective courses

  • research proposal

  • field-research (fieldwork)

  • MA thesis (in case of “Visual Ethnography as a Method” the thesis has audiovisual & textual components)

The MA programme starts in September of each year. There is also a possibility to start the program in February each year, but students who wish to do so should realise that this involves an alteration in the order of the courses of the MA programme. Students who start in February cannot make use of ‘Visual Ethnography as a Method’ nor take part in the ‘Museum Anthropology’ pilot.